A  PLEA  FOR  THE  POOR. 


PLEA  FOR  THE   POOR. 

A  SERMON, 

Delivered  in  the  Independent  Tabernacle,  in  Philadelphia,  on  Sabbath 
evening,  the  18th  December,  1814. 

FOR  THE  BENEFIT 
Of  THE 

FEMALE  HOSPITABLE  SOCIETY. 


BY  JACOB  BRODHEAD,  A.  M. 

Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  Crown-street. 


PHILADELPHIA. 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  FEMALE  HOSPITABLE  SOCIETY. 

1815. 


THE 

WILLIAM  R.  PERKINS 
LIBRARY 


OF 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


Rare  Books 


8«< 


■tO  THE 


MANAGERS  AND  OTHER  MEMBERS 


FEMALE  HOSPITABLE  SOCIETY, 

THE  FOLLOWING 

DISCOURSE, 

•  EXIVERED  AND  PUBLISHED  AT  THEIR  REQUEST. 

IS 
RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED, 
BY 
THEIR  SINCERE  FRIEND, 

AND  HUMBLE  SERVANT, 

THE  AUTHOR. 

*Yorth  Fifth  street, 
January  2d,  1815. 


PLEA  FOR  THE  POOR. 


"  Plead  the  cause  of  the  poor  and  needy." 

Proverbs,  xxxi.  9. 

IN  obedience  to  this  command,  I  appear  be- 
fore this  christian  assembly  to  execute  a  diffi- 
cult but  pleasing  duty:  difficult,  because  the 
subject  of  charity  has  been  so  exhausted,  by 
the  talents  and  eloquence  of  men,  that  it 
cannot  be  made  interesting  to  an  audience 
by  its  novelty:  pleasing,  because  the  preacher 
feels  confident,  that  though  he  cannot  offer 
any  thing  new  on  the  subject,  yet  his  plea 
for  the  poor  cannot  be  ineffectual  with  those 


who  now  hear  him;  collected  as  they  are 
from  the  different  religious  societies  of  this 
city,  and  all  professing  to  he  actuated  hy  the 
henevolent  spirit  of  their  common  Saviour, 
who  "  went  about  doing  good." 

This  house  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
Jehovah,  is  now  converted  into  the  store- 
house of  the  poor,  and  here  are  to  be  gathered 
the  treasures,  which  the  friends  of  suffering 
humanity  are  about  to  contribute  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  helpless  and  the  destitute.  If  ever 
the  finer  feelings  of  the  soul  are  touched,  it 
must  be  on  occasions  like  the  present,  when 
human  nature  is  exhibited  in  one  of  its  most 
interesting  forms;  when  the  ear,  and  the 
heart  are  both  affected  at  the  tale  of  woe,  and 
we  are  taught  to  feel  like  men  and  chris- 
tians. If  our  attempt  succeed  not  according 
to  our  wishes,  or  the  expectation  of  that  be- 
nevolent female  association,  at  whose  request 


9 

I  have  become  the  mouth  of  the  poor  to  you: 
w e  shall  have  this  to  console  us,  that  we  have 
discharged  a  duty  which  we  owed  to  God,  to 
your  consciences,  and  the  poor  of  Christ:  in 
respect  to  whom,  he  will  one  day  say  unto 
those  who  at  his  request,  and  according  to 
his  will  now  afford  liberal  christian  relief; 
"  in  as  much  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the 
least  of  these  my  brethren  ye  have  done  it  unto 
me;  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world."  If,  therefore, 
there  is  one,  a  solitary  being,  who  has  entered 
into  this  house  of  God's  poor,  to  withhold  from 
them,  that  which  Christ  on  their  behalf  now 
demands,  let  him  retire,  covered  with  con- 
fusion, and  loaded  with  disgrace;  and  let  him 
blush  for  an  action  which  must  stamp  his 
character  with  merited  odium. 

The  objects  for  whose  benefit  and  assistance 
we  plead,  are  justly  called  "poor  and  needy." 


10 

The  very  lirst  article  of  the  constitution  under 
which  the  "  Female  Hospitable  Society"  act, 
declares,  that  it  is  instituted  for  the  "  relief  of 
the  sick,  the  aged,  the  indigent,  the  widow,  the  or- 
phan, and  the  destitute  stranger."  You  perceive, 
therefore,  that  like  the  philanthropy  of  their 
Divine  Master,  their's  is  not  confined  to  any 
one  class  of  deserving  poor.  It  is  not  our  bu- 
siness now,  to  attempt  an  explanation  of  the 
plans  of  God.  Why  he  acts  as  he  does,  is  best 
known  to  himself;  and  why  he  hath  permit- 
ted such  a  vast  difference  to  exist  between 
persons  of  the  same  flesh  and  blood,  is  a 
question  which  infinite  wisdom  must  answer: 
but  the  fact  that  the  poor  are  always  with 
us,  we  know,  as  well  as  our  duty  in  relation 
to  it.  The  difference  which  exists  between 
many  of  those  wretched,  pitiable  objects  for 
whom  we  solicit,  and  us,  (however  great  it 
may  be,)  is  owing,  neither  to  their  greater 


11 

crimes,  nor  our  superior  merit.  If  God  in  his 
sovereign  wisdom  hath  so  ordered,  that  they 
should  be  poor  and  you  in  easy,  and  many  in 
affluent  circumstances;  it  is  undoubtedly  for 
wise  purposes.  He  makes  you  the  honoured 
almoners  of  his  bounty,  and  them  his  honour- 
ed pensioners.  Poor  they  are,  indeed,  in  soul 
and  in  body,  and  therefore  they  stand  in  need 
of  our  charities.  Destitute  they  are,  and  there- 
fore they  want  an  arm  to  support  them,  an 
eye  to  pity  them,  and  the  assistance  of  the 
benevolent   to   relieve    them.  Though  thus 
circumstanced,  they  are  your  brethren,  and 
your  sisters.  They  are  animated  with  the  same 
spirit,  which  animates  you,  and  though  now 
supplicating  by  us  your  benefactions,  yet  let 
it  be  remembered,  that  one  day  they  shall  be 
put  on  a  level  with  us,  before  the  tribunal  of 
a  righteous  judge.  There  all  will  be  equal  as 
to  worldly  circumstances.  What  do  I  say? 


12 

equal!  No.  If  it  shall  then  be  found  that  we 
have  shut  up  our  bowels  of  mercies  against 
the  calls  and  entreaties  of  the  needy,  our  ac- 
count to  our  judge  will  be  made  the  more 
terrible,  and  the  more  momentous.  Yes,  we 
repeat  it,  for  the  helpless  widow,  and  the  more 
helpless  orphan;  for  the  sick  and  the  dying, 
who  have  neither  food,  nor  fuel,  nor  medicine; 
and  what  is,  perhaps,  still  more  affecting,  who 
have  none  to  whisper  to  their  sinful,  distress- 
ed, imperishable  souls,  the  consolations  of 
the  gospel,  we  solicit  your  charities.  We  ask 
you,  but  not  in  our  own  name.  In  the  name  of 
that  God,  before  whom  the  sun  shrouds  him- 
self in  darkness,  and  the  pillars  of  the  vaulted 
heavens  tremble,  we  ask:  In  the  name  of  that 
Saviour  who  has  made  you  the  almoners  of  his 
poor,  we  ask:  in  the  name  of  Fatherless  and 
Motherless  Children,  we  ask;  and  we  ask  not 
in  vain.  Enquire  of  the  benevolent  females, 


IS 

constituting  the  board  of  direction  of  this 
noble  institution,  who  generously  sacrifice 
their  time,  talents,  and  ease,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  poor,  if  we  speak  not  the  truth.  If  it 
were  not  so,  my  voice  would  not  be  heard,  and 
before  you  I  should  not  appear,  to  ask  for 
your  offerings.  Such  are  the  state  and  circum- 
stances of  the  poor  and  helpless  whose  cause 
we  now  present  to  you.  Permit  me  to  plead 
with  you  on  their  behalf, 

First,  from  the  commands,  the  promises,  and 
the  threatenings,  contained  in  the  scriptures. 
And  my  hearers,  while  God  speaks,  let  all  lis- 
ten with  the  most  profound  regard,  for  to  his 
voice  all  nature  attends.  Thus  saith  his  spirit. 
"  Rob  not  the  poor,  neither  oppress  the  afflicted, 
for  the  Lord  will  plead  their  cause,  and  spoil  the 
soul  of  those  who  spoiled  them.  For  the  oppress 
sion  of  the  poor,  for  the  sighs  of  the  needy,  will 

I  arise,  saith  the  Lord."  "  Charge  them  that  are 


14 

rich  in  this  world,"  "  that  they  be  rich  in  good 
works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  communi- 
cate, that  they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 
"  Make  to  yourselves  friends  of  the  mammon  of 
unrighteousness,  that  when  ye  fail  they  may  re- 
ceive you  into  everlasting  habitations."  "Honour 
the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  so  shall  thy  barns 
be  filed  with  plenty."  "  Say  not  to  thy  neighbour 
go  and  come  again  when  thou  hast  it  by  thee." 
"Is  it  not,  that  thou  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hun- 
gry, that  thou  bring  the  poor  that  are  cast  out  of 
thine  house?  when  thou  seest  the  naked  that 
thou  cover  him;  and  that  thou  hide  not  thyself 
from  thine  own  flesh."  "Whoso  stoppeth  his  ears 
at  the  cry  of  the  poor,  he  shall  also  cry  himself 
and  shall  not  be  heard."  "Wo  to  you,  ye  have 
omitted  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law,  judg- 
ment, mercy,  and  faith."  "He  shall  have  judg- 
ment without  mercy  who  shewed  no  mercy." 
Are  not  these  divine  commands,  and  pro- 


15 

inises  and  threatenings,  powerful  pleas?  can 
there  be  any  thing  more  persuasive?  The 
duties  they  enforce  are  binding  upon  all  of 
us,  from  the  man  ^\ho  possesses  hundreds  of 
thousands,  to  the  person  who  possesses  but  a 
competency.  From  these  suffer  me  to  direct 
your  attention,  in  the 

Second  place,  to  some  of  the  examples  of 
scripture  worthies,  and  others.  Perhaps  it  will 
not  be  improper  to  refresh  your  memories 
with  the  example  of  the  Jews.  Is  it  a  stretch 
of  truth  to  assert,  that  christians  generally  do 
not  give  the  twentieth  part  of  what  they  gave 
to  the  poor?  Of  all  their  fruit  trees  they  re- 
ceived no  profit  till  the  fifth  year.  Of  all  the 
fruits  of  the  earth  they  were  obligated  to  offer 
the  Lord  the  first.  The  sixtieth  part  of  the 
land  they  were  to  leave  for  the  poor.  The 
fortieth  part  of  their  produce  they  gave  to 
the  priests,  and  a  tenth  to  the  Levites.  All 


16 

debts  contracted  among  this  people,  were 
released  at  the  end  of  particular  seasons:  So 
that  if  we  take  all  these  items  into  account, 
we  shall  find,  that  they  contributed  to  the 
support  of  religion  and  the  poor  a  sum 
amounting  to  almost  half  their  income.  Will 
any  one  assert  that  these  laws  are  now  abo- 
lished; and  that  the  introduction  of  the  chris- 
tian system  has  superseded  all  the  Jewish 
institutions?  Let  such  persons  remember,  that 
so  far  is  this  from  being  true,  especially  to 
the  extent  now  asserted,  that  the  morality  of 
Judaism,  is  more  strongly  enforced  in  the 
gospel,  particularly  that  part  of  it  which  re- 
lates to  charity.  If  our  Saviour  hath  left  us 
no  definite  instructions  on  this  subject,  he 
hath  commanded  (what  is  of  much  greater 
extent)  "  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thy- 
self."  Very  justly  did  one  observe,  "If  under 
an  economy  so  gross,  in  which  differences 


17 

were  made  between  people  and  people,  na- 
tion and  nation,  God  required  his  people  to 
give  (to  say  the  least)  a  third  part  of  their 
income,  what?  what!  are  the  obligations  of 
christians!"  If  we  examine  the  sacred  records 
we  shall  find  the  most  illustrious  examples 
to  recommend  this  exalted  virtue.  Two  will 
serve  our  present  purpose.  One  is  truly  wor- 
thy to  be  imitated  by  you,  ye  lovers  of  Im- 
manuel,  ye  benefactors  of  the  poor:  and  the 
other  is  a  noble  instance  of  female  worth, 
and  of  refined  feeling.  Who  knows  not  that 
the  name  of  Job  is  but  another  name  for  be- 
nevolence as  well  as  patience?  And  would  to 
God,  that  we  all  might  have  the  satisfaction 
of  appealing  to  our  own  conduct,  to  say  with 
him,  "  When  the- ear  heard  me  then  it  blessed 
me;  and  when  the  eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness 
to  me,  because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried, 

and  the  fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to 

C 


18 

help  him;  the  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to 
perish  came  upon  me.  I  was  eyes  to  the  blind, 
and  feet  was  I  to  the  lame:  I  was  a  father  to 
the  poor,  and  the  cause  which  I  knew  not  I 
searched  out."  Oh!  that  his  most  eloquent  and 
searching  appeal  and  imprecation,  might  have 
their  proper  effect  upon  our  hearts.  "If  I 
have  witheld  the  poor  from  their  desire,  or  have 
caused  the  eyes  of  the  widow  to  fail,  or  have 
eaten  my  morsel  alone,  and  the  fatherless  hath 
not  eaten  thereof;  If  I  have  seen  any  perish  for 
want  of  clothing,  or  any  poor  without  covering, 
if  he  were  not  warmed  with  the  fleece  of  my 
sheep;  If  I  have  lifted  up  my  hand  against  the 
fatherless,  when  I  saw  my  help  in  the  gate;  then 
let  mine  arm  fall  from  my  shoulder  blade,  and 
mine  arm  be  broken  from  the  bone."  Nor  does 
the  word  of  God  abound  less  in  examples  of 
female  worth;  examples  which  will  remain 
monuments  of  human  excellence  and  exalted 


19 

benevolence  so  long  as  the  records  of  time 
shall  be  known.  Not  to  be  particular  with  re- 
gard to  the  woman  of  Zarephath,  Martha,  and 
the  widow,  (which  are  other  names  for  com- 
passion to  the  poor;)  we  observe,  that  all  that 
can  be  great  in  the  female  character  in  res- 
pect to  real  charity,  is  exhibited  in  the  life  of 
her,  of  whom  it  is  said,  that  "  she  was  full  of 
good  works,  and  alms-deeds  which  she  did."  To 
you,  mothers,  and  daughters,  we  would  re- 
commend the  conduct  of  benevolent  Dorcas, 
in  imitating  whom  you  will  resemble  your  di- 
vine Redeemer,  who  went  about  from  house 
to  house  doing  good.  Leaving  the  scriptures, 
we  might  adduce  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
examples  to  recommend  to  your  hearts  the 
excellence  of  this  virtue.  The  same  spirit 
which  inspired  Jesus  and  his  disciples,  has 
been  cherished  by  all  his  true  followers.  Hea- 
thens in  the  days  of  the  primitive  church, 


Seeing  the  extraordinary  exercise  of1  benevo* 
lence  among  the  followers  of  the  Saviour,  as- 
cribed it  justly  to  supernatural  causes.  One  of 
these*  attempting  to  satirize  christians  in  a 
discourse  on  the  death  of  a  suicide,  eulogises 
christians  and  their  charities  (though  he 
meant  it  not  so)  in  the  following  manner.  "  It 

is  incredible  what  pains  and  diligence  they  use 
by  all  means  to  succour  one  another.  Their  le- 
gislator made  them  believe  that  they  are  all 
brethren,  and  since  they  have  renounced  our 
religion,  and  worshipped  their  crucified  lead- 
er, they  live  according  to  his  laws,  and  all 
their  riches  are  common."  That  tyrant,  and 
persecutor  of  the  christian  religion,  Julian, 
attempting  to  injure  Christianity  by  clothing 
Paganism  with  its  charity,  thus  writes  to  his 
friends.  "  Let  us  consider  that  nothing  hath 
so  much  contributed  to  the  progress  of  the 
superstition  of  christians,  as  their  charity  to 

*  Lucian. 


21 

strangers.  I  think  we  ought  to  discharge  this 
obligation  ourselves.  Establish  hospitals  in 
every  place;  for  it  would  be  a  shame  for  us  to 
abandon  our  poor,  while  the  Jews  have  none, 
and  while  the  impious  Galileans  provide  not 
only  for  their  own  poor,  but  also  for  ours." 
Of  the  religious  countess  of  Warwick  it  is 
said,  that  she  gave  no  less  than  a  third  of 
her  revenue  for  religious  and  charitable  pur- 
poses. Yes,  brethren,  if  propriety  did  not  for- 
bid, without  going  beyond  the  limits  of  our 
city  or  of  our  acquaintance,  we  might  desig- 
nate a  goodly  number,  some  of  whom  are  now 
reaping  their  reward  in  heaven,  while  many 
are  still  examples  of  the  most  enlarged  chari- 
ty. Permit  me  in  the        MtiMh 

Third  place,  to  plead  the  cause  of  these  poor, 
from  the  very  objections  which  an  uncharita- 
ble spirit,  or  sordid  parsimony,  may  urge 
against  it.  Let  us  hear,  and  examine  the  ob- 


22 

jections  of  the  covetous  and  uncharitable.  "  I 
have  no  more  than  I  want,"  is  the  most  pro- 
minent difficulty  which  we  have  to  combat  in 
behalf  of  the  poor.  Taking  it  for  granted,  that 
what  is  alleged  is  true,  that  many  who  pos- 
sess abundance,  have  not  so  much  as  they 
want,  or  that  they  have  not  enough  to  gratify 
all  or  half  of  their  desires;  think  what  must 
be  the  situation  of  those  who  have  nothing,  to 
satisfy  the  wants  of  nature;  who  have  not 
what  they  absolutely,  most  certainly  need,  to 
feed,  to  clothe,  and  warm  the  body.  Is  it,  then, 
what  our  pride,  or  avarice,  or  our  sinful  de- 
sires, may  please  to  want,  that  is  to  regulate 
the  manner,  or  the  measure  of  our  charities? 
What  is  to  regulate  that  sufficiency  which  we 
may  desire?  Is  it  covetousness,  or  is  it  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ?  One  of  them  will  re- 
gulate it,  for  we  cannot  serve  two  masters.  If 
covetousness  must  prescribe  to  us  on  this 


23 

subject,  then  I  am  bold  to  say,  that  we  are 
excused  altogether  from  the  duty:  then  we 
are  under  no  obligations  to  give,  but  are 
under  the  most  imperious  necessity  of  asking 
from  others;  for  its  voice  is,  incessantly,  give, 
give.  But  if  we  shrink  from  adopting  such 
a  rule  of  life,  then  we  must  abide  by  the  regu- 
lations of  the  gospel;  and  acting  accordingly, 
the  poor  will  not  this  evening  be  disappoint- 
ed; they  will  have  not  a  mere  pittance,  but 
abundance;  and  from  these  altars  before 
which  our  gifts  are  to  be  deposited,  will  be 
taken  overloaded  supplies,  which  will  neither 
leave  us  in  want,  nor  diminish  our  happiness. 
Another  apology  very  commonly  offered  for 
declining  the  relief  of  the  needy,  is  drawn 
from  the  number  of  the  poor,  and  their  in- 
cessant wants.  And  can  it  be  possible  that 
the  abounding  of  human  woe  and  misery,  is 
made  a  plea  for  hardening  the  heart,  and 


# 


24 

shutting  up  our  bowels  of  compassion?  Shall 
the  increasing  and  incessant  wants  of  the 
indigent,  be  made  the  occasion  of  withhold- 
ing, what  Jehovah  demands  for  them;  of  re- 
fusing to  deliver  them  from  the  empire  of 
ruin  and  death?  Shall  the  most  powerful  rea- 
sons for  giving  liberally,  be  made  objections 
to  our  distributing  at  all?  "What  an  abuse  of 
reason,   and  of  religion!   What  an  outrage 
upon  every  principle  which  exalts  the  nature 
of  man!  From  this  very  circumstance  we 
draw  one  argument,  and  a  very  powerful  one, 
in  favour  of  increasing  our  gifts,  and  en- 
larging our  hearts,  for  the  succour  of  the 
miserable.  In  proportion  to  the  increase  of 
poverty  in  any  place,  should  be  the  increase 
of  the  liberality  of  the  affluent.  If  tenfold 
more  is  now  wanted  to  supply  the  wants  of 
the  needy,  our  liberality  should  increase  in 
the  same  proportion.  But  again,  some  may 


25 

say  that  the  times  are  hard,  and  therefore 
they  cannot  afford  to  give.  From  this  melan- 
choly fact  we  enter  our  plea  in  behalf  of  the 
poor.  While  we  mingle  our  tears  with  yours, 
deploring  the  miseries  of  the  world;  while 
we  especially  view  with  much  sensibility  the 
calamity  which  has  visited  our  country,  and 
the  severe  distresses  of  thousands  of  our  fel- 
low citizens;  we  would  ask,  who  feel  most 
severely  the  pressure  of  the  times?  Who  are 
exposed  most  to  sufferings?  Deplorable  as  is 
the  fact,  it  must  be  confessed,  upon  the  poor, 
the  suffering  poor,  the  evils  are  accumulated. 
They  feel  most  bitterly;  they  are  thrown  out 
of  employment;  or  from  the  necessities  of  the 
times  are  compelled  to  quit  their  vocations; 
and  by  them  the  loss  or  privation  of  a  shil- 
ling is  more  felt,  than  a  thousand  would  be 
by  those  who  enjoy  a  competency.  Because 
these   are   solemn  truths   at  this  time,  we 

D 


I 


26 

should  enter  with  more  tender  anxiety  into 
the  wants  of  the  needy.  If  the  times  he  hard 
for  you  who  enjoy  abundance,  what  must  he 
the  pitiable  state  of  those,  who  have  nothing 
that  they  can  call  their  own  but  poverty,  and 
want.  It  is  hard  to  be  poor,  but  to  be  treated 
with  cruelty  and  contempt  is  adding  misery 
to  wretchedness.  From  the  benevolence  of 
your  own  hearts,  and  the  rich  reward  which 
follows  acts  of  christian  generosity,  suffer  me 
in  the 

Last  place,  to  plead  the  cause  of  the  "poor 
and  needy."  And  here,  unless  there  be  no 
compassion  in  human  nature,  I  cannot  be 
disappointed.  If  you  ask  whether  your  enjoy- 
ment  of  heaven  depends  upon  your  abundant 
charities  this  evening;  we  unhesitatingly  an 
swer,  No.  Through  Jesus  Christ  alone,  and 
by  his  merits, you  can  enter  into  yonder  man- 
sions of  glory  everlasting.  Were  you  to  offer 


£7 

before  God,  the  treasures  of  a  world,  you 
could  not  purchase  the  pardon  of  your  sins, 
nor  propitiate  the  favour  of  the  Most  High. 
But  this  we  are  authorised  to  say,  that  the 
liberal  alms  of  a  christian,  shall  be  abun- 
dantly repaid.  The  promise  wliich  the  Lord 
made  to  the  Jews  upon  their  bringing  in 
those  offerings  which  they  had  withholden 
through  avarice,  is  made  to  us  all.  "  Bring  ye 
all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  that  there  may 
be  meat  in  mine  house,  and  prove  me  now  here- 
with saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  if  I  will  not  open 
you  the  windows  of  heaven,  and  pour  you  out  a 
blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be  room  enough  to 
receive  it."  Let  not  the  trite  and  unfounded 
objection  be  made,  that  it  is  a  solitary  in- 
stance. Examples  have  never  been  wanted  to 
verify  the  accomplishment  of  this,  and  of 
others  of  a  similar  import.  Never  has  the 
humane,  benevolent,  religious  heart  been  left 


25 

without  a  bountiful  reward.  Who  are  the  cha- 
racters who  have  been  most  prosperous,  and 
honoured  in  life?  Who  have  enjoyed  the 
sweetest  consolation  in  their  own  bosoms? 
And  whose  memories  have  longest  survived 
the  wreck  of  this  mortal  life?  To  these  inter- 
rogations but  one  answer  can  be  made.  Your 
hearts  are  not  deceived  when  with  rapture 
you  exclaim,  "  they  are  the  most  prosperous, 
and  honoured  in  life;  they  have  enjoyed  the 
noblest  pleasure;  their  memories  have  been 
the  most  endeared,  who  have  abounded  most  in 
acts  of  religion,  and  in  works  of  mercy."  Yes, 
while  the  hoarded  treasures  of  the  contract- 
ed, selfish,  uncharitable  person,  shall  be  the 
monument,  upon  which  the  curses  of  Christ 
and  his  poor  shall  be  inscribed,  and  his  me- 
mory shall  perish  in  the  grave,  the  liberality 
of  the  generous  christian,  shall  secure  to  him 
deserved  reputation;  and  long  after  his  body 


29 

has  rested  in  the  tomb,  shall  his  memory  be 
warmly  cherished  in  the  hearts  of  the  poor. 
Never  have  the  streams  of  that  man's  tempo- 
ral mercies  been  dried  up,  who  has  not  rob- 
bed God  and  his  poor.  "I  challenge  (said  one 
very  justly)  the  whole  world,  to  produce  any 
number  of  instances,  of  a  merciful  man, 
whose  charity  has  undone  him.  On  the  con- 
trary, as  living  wells  being  exhausted,  more 
freely  spring  and  flow;  so  the  substance  of 
charitable  men,  frequently  multiplies  in  the 
distribution.  This,  like  the  widow's  oil,  in- 
creases by  being  poured  out."  Therefore 
said  a  magnanimous  christian  emperor,  to 
the  empress,  who  thought  him  too  profuse 
in  his  bounty,  "  I  shall  never  want  money,  so 
long  as  in  obedience  to  Christ  I  supply  the 
necessities  of  the  poor,  and  abound  in  reli- 
gious benevolence."  If  we  could  be  persua- 
ded, that  adducing  examples,  was  necessary 


30 

to  confirm  the  truth  of  what  we  have  assert- 
ed, we  might  spend  hours  in  setting  hefore 
you  a  cloud  of  witnesses.  But  this  is  unneces- 
sary, since  we  have  the  proof  at  hand,  and 
the  witnesses  before  us.  Do  you  ask  where 
is  the  proof,  and  where  are  the  witnesses?  In 
the  persons,  and  feelings  of  many  whom  I 
now    behold   in  these  holy  courts.   In  the 
blessed  experience  of  your  lives,  who  abound 
in  acts  of  mercy  to  the  poor.  Ye  are  the  wit- 
nesses of  this  truth.  Have  you  not  in  the  ful- 
ness of  your  benevolent  hearts  found,  that 
"  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive?" 
Have  you  not  found  it  a  luxury,  to  deposit 
your  gift  before  the  altars  of  God,  for  the 
comfort  of  those  who,  but  for  your  charities, 
would  have  been  left  destitute  and  friendless? 
And  may  we  not  add,  that  it  is  not  in  your 
giving  towards  a  single  object  only,  that  you 
have  experienced  such  a  reward,  but  in  your 


31 

daily  and  weekly  relief  of  the  honest  poor. 
In  the  cellars,  and  vaults  of  poverty,  where 
you  who  are  the  benefactresses  of  the  desti- 
tute, have  entered  to  carrv  bread  to  the 
famishing,  fuel  to  warm  the  shivering  limbs, 
and  garments  to  cover  the  naked,  you  have 
been  blessed,  and  could  say  "  the  blessing  of 
those  who  were  ready  to  perish  came  upon  fits" 

But  we  are  happy  to  have  it  in  our  power 
to  state,  that  we  can  offer  to  your  bene- 
volent hearts  a  still  greater  reward.  I  will 
not  say  that  in  contributing  liberally  this 
evening  you  will  absolutely  be  the  instru- 
ments of  saving  the  souls  of  men,  but  1  will 
say  that  you  may  be  the  means.  In  the  sixth 
article  of  the  constitution  of  this  excellent 
institution,  we  find  the  following  words. 

"  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  special  visiting 
committee  to  administer  spiritual  as  well  as 
temporal  relief,  to  the  eufferers  who  are  with- 


32 

out  earthly  support,  not  excepting  persons  of 
any  nation,  colour,  or  profession.  It  shall  also 
he  particularly  their  duty  to  visit  and  instruct 
distressed  widows,  orphans,  and    wretched 
females  in  the  alms-house,  hospital,  and  pri- 
son, as  often  as  permission  to  that  effect  can 
be  obtained.  They  shall  also  pray  with  the 
sick,  and  exhort  the  healthy  to  seek  the  Lord 
while  he  may  be  found.  It  shall  further  be 
their  duty  to  put  into   the  hands  of  those 
who  can  read,  and  are  destitute  of  the  word 
of  life,  a  copy  of  the  sacred  scriptures,  and 
to  use  every  prudent  means   to  bring  back 
lost  sheep  to  the  fold  of  Christ."  Nor,  is  this 
the  whole  of  the  excellency  of  this  institution; 
for  while  they  administer  relief  and  comfort 
to  the  soul  and  body,  they    encourage    in- 
dustry in  all  who  are  able  to  work.  In  this 
point  of  view  the  manufactory*  which  the 

*  The  manufactory,  for  the  establishment  of  which  the  so- 


33 

society  have  established,  is  of  vast  impor- 
tance. In  fact,  considering  the  nature  of  the 
institution,  its  liberal,  and  extensively  bene- 
volent plan;  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  its 
managers,  to  do  good  to  the  souls  and  bodies 
of  the  really  needy,  we  hazard  nothing  in 
asserting,  that  no  charitable  association  in 
this  city  deserves  better,  public  patronage. 
Since  the  commencement  of  this  valuable  in- 
stitution in  the  year  1808,  many  hundreds 
have  received  aid,  and  a  goodly  number  it  is 
hoped  have  been  directed  to  seek  the  salva- 
tion of  their  souls,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  the  word  of  God  put  into  their  hands, 
and  the  advice  and  prayers  of  the  visiting 

ciety  have  made  strenuous  efforts,  promises  in  time  to  afford 
constant  employment  and  means  of  support  to  many,  who  find 
it  very  difficult,  nay  almost  impossible,  to  find  work  elsewhere, 
And  as  the  whole  of  the  profits  arising  from  the  institution,  are 
faithfully  appropriated  to  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  it  is  hoped 
that  this  infant  establishment  will  be  cherished  by  the  friends 
of  industry  and  humanity. 

E 


34 

committee.  And  shall  it  be  said,  that  a  chris- 
tian assembly,  met  together  for  the  express 
purpose  of  contributing  to  the  relief  of  the 
indigent,  have  permitted  the  worthy,  bene- 
volent conductors  of  this  charitable  establish- 
ment, to  retire  with  a  mere  trifle?  Would 
you  as  christians  be  willing  to  have  it  said 
by  them  to  the  suffering,  perishing  poor,  who 
wait  with  anxiety  the  issue  of  this  meeting, 
"  We  have  asked  of  a  christian  congregation, 
but  they  have  refused  to  give,  and  therefore 
we  cannot  help  you;  you  must  seek  assistance 
elsewhere?"  Above  all,  are  you  willing,  that 
in  the  day  of  judgment  it  shall  be  record- 
ed that  this  night,  you  either  refused  to 
give,  or  that  you  gave  a  very  trifle?  In  this 
light  we  place  the  subject;  and  before  we 
conclude,  we  ask  you  to  accompany  us  to 
witness  the  proceedings  of  the  judgment  day, 
when  we  and  the  poor  for  whom  we  now  so- 


35 

licit  your  benefactions,  will  be  gathered  to- 
gether, and  be  judged  out  of  the  book  of 
God.  There  will  stand  the  king  and  the  sub- 
ject: there  will  be  found  the  master  and  the 
servant:  there  will  be  seen  the  rich  beside 
the  poor.  The  books  will  then  be  opened, 
and  the  judgment  will  begin.  There  the  op- 
pressor will  meet  those  whom  he  oppressed, 
and  they  will  be  judged.  There  the  princes 
and  the  nobles  will  be  set  with  those  whom 
they  have  abused  and  persecuted  in  this 
world,  and  they  will  be  judged.  There  will 
the  aged  sinner,  who,  by  his  wicked  example, 
and  precept,  has  been  the  means  of  ruining 
the  young  and  thoughtless,  meet  those  ob- 
jects of  misery,  and  they  shall  be  righteously 
treated.  There  will  the  hypocrite  be  placed 
beside  the  most  blasphemous  wretch,  and  to- 
gether must  they  be  judged.  And  before  that 
righteous  bar.  will  the  poor  meet  those,  from 


36 

whom  they  solicited,  and  who  had  it  in  their 
power  to  afford  relief,  but  refused;  and  then 
shall  the  judge  say  unto  them,  with  reference 
to  his  poor,  "  Depart  from  me  ye  cursed  into 
everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  Devil  and  his 
angels:  for  I  was  an  hungered,  and  ye  gave  me 
no  meat;  Iivas  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  me  no  drink; 
I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  not  in:  naked, 
and  ye  clothed  me  not:  sick,  and  in  prison,  and 
ye  visited  me  not.  Then  shall  they  also  answer 
him,  saying,  Lord,  when  saw  we  thee  an  hun- 
gered, or  at  hirst,  or  a  stranger,  or  naked,  or  sick, 
or  in  prison,  and  did  not  minister  unto  thee? 
Then  shall  he  answer  them  saying,  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  not  to  one  of  the 
least  of  these,  ye  did  it  not  to  me."*  Who  of  us 
would  be  placed  in  these  circumstances,  for 
the  accumulated  treasures  of  the  earth? 

*  Matthew,  xxv. 


37 

Let  it  now  therefore  be  known,  whether  ye 
prefer  the  curses  of  the  poor,  and  the  male 
dictions  of  God,  to  the  blessings  of  the  one, 
and  the  grateful  thanks  of  the  other.  Let  it 
now  be  known  whether  you  consider  part  of 
your  property  your  own,  or  belonging  to  Jesus 
Christ,  and  his  poor.  And  if  you,  honoured 
collectors  for  the  "poor  and  needy,"  return 
with  a  scanty  supply,  then  let  it  be  recorded, 
/  to  the  disgrace  of  this  christian  assembly, 
that  they  have  asked,  but  have  been  disap- 
pointed.— Amen . 


38 


MINUTE 

Of the  proceedings  of  the  Female  Hospitable  Society,  fro?/. 
January  1st,  to  December  31st,  1814. 

Received,  for  sales  made  at  the  factory  room,  No. 
5,  Apple-tree  alley,  as  taken  from  the  Superin- 
tendant's  book  of  entry, 

Cash  received,  g>  1239  59 

Paid  for  employment,  in  and  out  of  the  factory,  for 
spinning  flax,  wool,  and  cotton;  weaving,  twist- 
ing, and  carding  cotton;  as  taken  from  the  se- 
cretary's books, 

Cash  paid,  1086  43 


Balance  in  favour  of  the  manufactory,         145  96 


Distributed  to  five  hundred  and  sixty  families;  one 
third,  enlisted  soldiers'  wives  and  children,  as 
taken  from  the  memorandum  books  of  the  ma- 
nagers, 

Cash  in  articles  of  sustenance  and  apparel,  174 1   82 


The  books  are  at  all  times  open  for  investigation,  as  to  the 
correctness  of  the  above  statement.  The  society  acknowledge 
the  liberal  support  they  have  received,  in  many  instances,  from 


39 


a  generous  public;  and  are  ready  and  desirous  at  all  times,  to 
give  an  account  of  their  stewardship;  and  invite  every  one  to 
examine  the  books  for  themselves. 

The  managers  have  also  to  thank  the  different  printers,  for 
the  many  generous  favours  conferred  on  the  society,  in  their 
line  of  business;  and  assure  them  of  their  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments, and  that  in  the  words  of  truth  it9*elf,  not  even  a  cup  of 
cold  water  shall  lose  its  reward. 


